Education Consultant 4-EC

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Education’s Office of Early Childhood Strategy seeks an Education Consultant 4 to provide statewide leadership for Ready Start Networks from the Baton Rouge office. You will coordinate with local leaders, monitor progress, and translate policy into actionable guidance.

Responsibilities include technical assistance, data analysis, and cross-team collaboration to strengthen community early childhood systems and improve kindergarten readiness across Louisiana.

Qualifications

• Eight years of experience in education, teaching, or administrative services; OR
• Six years of full-time work experience plus five years in education, teaching, or administrative services; OR
• A bachelor's degree plus five years of experience in education, teaching, or administrative services; OR
• An advanced degree plus four years of experience in education, teaching, or administrative services.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary LDOE point of contact and subject matter expert for Ready Start Networks, providing guidance to local network leaders on program requirements, state policy, and implementation.
• Work directly with Ready Start Network Lead Agencies and local leaders to implement network strategies, address challenges, strengthen local infrastructure, and support progress toward established goals.
• Monitor and evaluate Ready Start Network performance by reviewing data, progress toward strategic milestones, required deliverables, and other indicators of network implementation.
• Manage key components of Ready Start Network development and implementation, including application, allocation, onboarding, and ongoing programmatic processes for Lead Agencies.
• Review Ready Start Network expenditure plans, budgets, and proposed uses of funds and make programmatic and allocation recommendations to Office of Early Childhood Strategy leadership.
• Interpret legislation, BESE policy, and LDOE requirements and translate them into clear guidance, procedures, resources, and implementation strategies for Ready Start Network leaders and other early childhood partners.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Policy guidance

Job description

Office of Early Childhood

The Louisiana Department of Education’s Office of Early Childhood Strategy works to strengthen early childhood systems and improve kindergarten readiness by expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities through strategic partnerships. Located within this office, the Education Consultant 4 position provides statewide leadership and direct support for Louisiana’s Ready Start Networks. Working closely with local leaders and organizations, this role focuses on strengthening community-level early childhood systems, advancing strategic priorities, and driving the effective implementation of network goals.

Core responsibilities include delivering technical assistance, monitoring network progress and deliverables, analyzing data trends, managing programmatic activities, and facilitating cross-team collaboration with external partners. Success requires strong project management, communication, and relationship-building skills to turn complex strategic plans into actionable outcomes. Ultimately, this position offers a high-impact opportunity to support early childhood leaders across Louisiana and build local systems that prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond.

Applicants with the following experience are encouraged to apply:

• Experience leading complex programs, initiatives, or systems-level work in early childhood education, public education, government, or a related field.
• Experience providing strategic guidance and technical assistance to education leaders, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Experience monitoring program implementation, deliverables, and performance and identifying strategies for continuous improvement.
• Experience managing or overseeing grant-funded initiatives, budgets, allocations, or other fiscal and programmatic responsibilities.
• Eight years of experience in education, teaching, or administrative services; OR
• Six years of full-time work experience plus five years of experience in education, teaching, or administrative services; OR
• A bachelor's degree plus five years of experience in education, teaching, or administrative services; OR
• An advanced degree plus four years of experience in education, teaching, or administrative services.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Serve as the primary LDOE point of contact and subject matter expert for Ready Start Networks, providing guidance to local network leaders on program requirements, state policy, and implementation.
• Work directly with Ready Start Network Lead Agencies and local leaders to implement network strategies, address challenges, strengthen local infrastructure, and support progress toward established goals.
• Monitor and evaluate Ready Start Network performance by reviewing data, progress toward strategic milestones, required deliverables, and other indicators of network implementation.
• Manage key components of Ready Start Network development and implementation, including application, allocation, onboarding, and ongoing programmatic processes for Lead Agencies.
• Review Ready Start Network expenditure plans, budgets, and proposed uses of funds and make programmatic and allocation recommendations to Office of Early Childhood Strategy leadership.
• Interpret legislation, BESE policy, and LDOE requirements and translate them into clear guidance, procedures, resources, and implementation strategies for Ready Start Network leaders and other early childhood partners.
• Identify and address programmatic or operational barriers affecting Ready Start Networks by coordinating with appropriate LDOE teams, district leaders, and external partners.
• Design and facilitate statewide meetings, professional development, strategy sessions, and technical assistance for Ready Start Network leaders, school district personnel, and early childhood administrators.
• Develop presentations, policy briefs, guidance documents, communications, and other resources to keep Ready Start Network leaders and early childhood partners informed of key program, policy, funding, and operational updates.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Probational or Promotional.The person hired for this position is expected to regularly report to the Baton Rouge office.Current permanent classified state employees may be required to accept a probationary appointment, if selected.

Career Progression: This position does not participate in a Career Progression Group

Work Schedule: Workdays are Monday - Friday; work hours will be determined.

Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

Note regarding the advertised pay range: The Education Consultant series has a special entrance rate (SER) of $31.25 hourly, $2,500 biweekly that is above the minimum hire rate for these positions. The maximum amounts listed are the maximum salary amounts a person can make over their career and not the maximum amount we are allowed to pay a new hire.

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.